THE Cowley Road Carnival made its long-awaited return yesterday.

Tens of thousands of people turned out in the sunshine to watch as the festival spirit hit the streets of East Oxford.

Last year the bash was cancelled and replaced by a carnival in South Park.

But this year organisers doubled up the fun, by putting on events in the park on Saturday and Sunday and the colourful carnival yesterday.

Erica Steinhauer, who runs the fancy dress hire and vintage clothing shop Bead Games, said the festival was back at its spiritual home.

Ms Steinhauer added: “I’m happy to see it back where it belongs. The prodigal carnival has returned.”

The theme of this year’s carnival was ‘Invention’.

Dancers from the Sol Samba group kicked off the parade at noon followed by a display of magnificent machines from the Plain roundabout to Manzil Way.

Dancer Brid O’ Donnell, 27, from Botley, said there was a great atmosphere.

She added: “It’s much better than last year. It’s good that it is back on the streets.”

Stalls selling Caribbean, Indian, and Italian food lined the streets, and reggae music filled the air thanks to a series of sound systems.

Sisters Bella, and Jasmine Godden were enjoying the sunshine and entertainment with their father Paul Godden, 46.

Bella, 11, said: “We’re looking forward to buying lots of stuff.”

Jasmine, nine, added: “We really liked the procession, there should have been more of it.”

Brothers Mitchell, 10, and Harvey, six, Huggins also went with their parents Helen and Richard, from Kidlington.

Mrs Huggins said: “We’ve been coming for the last three years. It’s really good fun. As the procession went past you couldn’t help but tap your foot.”

Alice Berkeley, 25, from Wolvercote, was dancing in the magnificent machine procession with her friend DJ Sex Machine.

She said: “We’re having a damn good time and just being generally really groovy.”

Watching the procession were Liz and Mick Conmy, from Florence Park.

Mrs Conmy said: “I think its really important to have these sorts of community events. It’s great.”

Her husband added: “For so many people to leave their flat screen TVs on a Sunday afternoon to come out is a wonderful thing.”

Organisers estimated a carnival crowd of 30,000.